CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR
WATER News Release (CCWater02/09) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 14 January 2009
For those
resolving to make savings on their utility bills in 2009, the
Consumer Council for Water has some top tips to help reduce energy
bills and save water.
Around a quarter of a household's energy bill comes from
heating water, for example, in baths or showers, or for washing
clothes or dishes.
By cutting water wastage through the following easy steps,
families should see a reduction in their energy bill, and those
who are charged for their water by meter, should also see a
reduction in their water bill as well:
* Replace worn washers on leaky taps. A dripping hot water tap
wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half
a bath.
* Take a five minute shower instead of a bath, or go one step
further and install a water saving shower head, which can cut the
amount of water used by about 30 per cent.
* When putting the kettle on to boil, only fill it with as much
water as necessary. Two-thirds of us waste energy by boiling more
water than we need.
* Make sure that the dishwasher or washing machine is completely
full before turning it on, and avoid using the half load setting.
Half-load cycles can use much more than half the energy and water
of a full load.
* Washing machines use huge amounts of energy, 90 per cent of
which is through heating water. By reducing the temperature from
40 to 30 degrees, the washing machine's energy consumption
will be reduced by 40 per cent.
* The hot water cylinder thermostat should be set at 60C or 140F.
Any higher is a waste of energy and could lead to scalding; any
lower could create risks to health.
* Insulate the hot water tank to avoid wasting energy to keep it
hot. Fitting a jacket to the boiler that is at least 75mm thick
could save around £30 each year.
Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said:
"At a time when so many household bills are rising, people
may be looking for ways to make every penny count. Taking five
minutes to consider these water and energy saving tips could pay
off in the long run, and have the added benefit of helping to
reduce your carbon footprint."
A full list of water saving tips is available at http://www.ccwater.org.uk.
Ends
Notes for editors
1. Information on energy saving tips from the Energy Saving
Trust: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/what_can_i_do_today/getting_started;
Big Green Switch http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/energy_saving;
DirectGov: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_064370;
Simply Switch http://www.simplyswitch.com/energy/switchingguide/energyefficiency.aspx;
and Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn249.pdf
2. Heating water makes up 25% of home energy use. http://www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/the_facts/hot_water_and_energy.html
The Consumer Council for Water
1. The Consumer Council for Water was set up in October 2005 to
represent consumers in England and Wales.
2. The Consumer Council for Water costs each water customer 25p
per year.
3. The Consumer Council for Water has gained £130 million from
water companies in reduced prices and extra investments.
4. The Consumer Council for Water has to date taken up over
42,000 consumer complaints about water and sewerage companies, and
secured £4 million in compensation and rebates for customers.
5. The Consumer Council for Water is a non-departmental public
body reporting to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs and the Welsh Assembly Government. It has a committee for
Wales, and four regional committees in England.
6. Our website is http://www.ccwater.org.uk.
For public enquiries to the Consumer Council for Water, please
contact via email on enquiries@ccwater.org.uk, our national
number, 0845 039 2837, or via minicom on 0121 345 1044.
The Consumer Council for Water Victoria Square House, Victoria
Square, Birmingham B2 4AJ